>> WELCOME TO THIS AFTERNOON'S GHSA BASKETBALL GAME.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY WASTE MANAGEMENT.

BROUGHT TO YOU LIVE IN THE CINEPLEX IN MACON.

MIKE HERE WITH THE FORMER GEORGIA BULLDOG, SEAN GOLDEN.

THEY ARE EXCITED TO BE HERE .

>> YOU WANT TO BE EXCITED TO BE HERE BUT CUT DOWN THOSE NETS TOO.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP IS WHAT THESE COACHES HAVE TALKED ABOUT SINCE DAY ONE IN THE SUMMERTIME AND NOW THEY ARE HERE.

>> IT IS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE THEY OF IN HERE ON THIS STAGE .

>> 1971, THE YEAR I WAS BORN IS THE LAST TIME THEY WERE HERE FOR THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP .

EVERYONE HAS BEEN EXCITED ABOUT THIS TEAM AND THEY ARE SET TO WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

AND IT'S THE BUTLER BULLDOGS OUT OF AUGUSTA .

>> THE COACH AND THE ENTIRE STAFF ARE EXCITED TO BE HERE.

EACH COACH HAS THE SAME THING , WHEN TO PLAY .

>> WITH JOHN NELSON , WHAT IF YOU GOT ?

>> I'M IN THE MIDDLE WITH THE UNION COUNTY SUPPORTERS SINCE 1971.

HOW SPECIAL AND RARE IS THIS.

IN THE 1970s, IT WAS A ORDER FINALS AND A SEMI FINAL AND A FINALS APPEARANCE IN CLASS B.

ALL THE GREEN WE HAD LAST TIME IS REPLACED BY PURPLE.

LET'S SEE IF UNION COUNTY AND BUTLER CAN CHASE AFTER THAT.

>> WE HAVE THE STARTING LINEUPS STARTING FIRST WITH UNION COUNTY AND HENRY, THE SOPHOMORE .

THE STARTING 54 UNION CITY AND THEIR COACH, RORY GARRETT.

AND WE HAVE COREY FLEMING AND WALKER WITH THE COACH CHAS PARKS FOR THE BULLDOGS.

THE OFFICIALS ARE MARVIN HARRIS JUNIOR AND PRINCE COKE ART.

AND THE BULLDOGS DRESSED IN WHITE WITH GOLD TRIM AND UNION COUNTY IN BLACK WITH PURPLE TRIM.

WE ARE ABOUT TO START THE SECOND OF OUR CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES RIGHT HERE ON THIS THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

>> THAT IS THERE GO TO DEFENSE IN THE GAP .

>> A GOOD DEFENSIVE START FOR UNION COUNTY .

>> MOST PEOPLE PLAY AT 2-3 OR 3-2 .

A 1-3-1 CAN BECOME A SHIFT AT FROM 3 .

>> REPOSITION ON THE REBOUND BY BARKER AND THE BULLDOGS.

THE FIRST BASKET OF THE GAME .

>> IN THE BULLDOGS GET IT OUT AND GET THE FORWARD.

THEY TRANSITION TO TWO POINTS .

>> THE TIME SLIP WHEN IT IS LATE WHISTLE THERE WITH A SHOT ATTEMPT .

>> AGGRESSIVE OFFENSE OF LEAK WHICH WHAT THE BUTLER BULLDOGS WANT TO DO .

YOUR OFFENSE COMES FROM YOUR DEFENSE.

I >> GETTING THAT ONE TO ROLL IN FOR THE FIRST POINT FOR THE PANTHERS.

>> COMES ON THE POST PLAYER AND HE'S READY TO LIVE UP TO THE MOMENT.

>> >> IT IS BOTH AND TIED UP AT 2.

>> AT THE CINEPLEX MAKING BASKETS WHEREVER YOU ARE.

FLEMING WITH THE FIRST TRAY OF THE GAME FOR EITHER SIDE .

>> HE CAN DEFINITELY SHOOT THE BALL AND IS GOING TO BE DEEP.

>> AND THAT IS OUT OF BOUNDS AND THAT WAS COMBS.

HE WENT TO TAKE OFF HIS RIGHT AND WAS STEPPING ON THE OUT OF BOUNDS LINE AND LET'S GO BACK TO BUTLER.

>> ONCE THE BALL GOES TO THE CORNER GOES TO THE DEFENSE AS WELL >> AND MARCUS STORY JUNIOR AND BUTLER IS HOT WITH THE LEAD.

>> THEY ARE 19 , 4 AND 4 FOR THE SEASON.

>> GOT INSIDE BY YOUNG REBOUND WALKER IN THE BULLDOGS HAVE THE PUSH.

RICH UP QUICKLY AND TRANSITION AWAY FROM THE UNION DEFENSE THERE.

>> AGAIN FOR THREE .

HE IS OUT .

REBOUND ON THE FLOOR.

WALKER FILING AND TRYING TO CALL A TRITE TIME-OUT WHERE IT WILL ACTUALLY BE THERE FALL.

HERE IT IS BY STORY .

>> NICE RELEASE.

A NICE LOOKING PLAYER.

5'10" WITH A NICE BILL AND RANKED 220th IN THE NATION FOR FREE THROWS MADE.

IT SHOWS YOU HIS ABILITY TO SCORE.

NOT JUST FROM THE FREE-THROW LINE BUT ALSO AT THE RIM .

>> PLAYING FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER NEXT YEAR.

HENRY ON THE PUSH .

AND AT THE SIDELINE , HATING HUGHES , YOU CAN GET THAT TO GO AND YOU'VE GOT A FOUL AND YOU HAVE UNION COUNTY WITH THE FIRST FOUL OF THE GAME .

THE COACH SAID HE IS A LEADER ON THIS TEAM AND ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS IN GEORGIA .

A FIVE FOOT 11 INCH SENIOR .

>> A POP UP FROM 18 AND IT'S NO GOOD.

REBOUND TO BUTLER AND SLIMMING HAS IT .

ZION SMITH TRIES TO GET IT TO BRIDGES ON THE OTHER SIDE AND IT WILL GET LAID OUT TO THE PANTHERS OF UNION COUNTY.

>> HE DOES A GOOD JOB OF MAKING SMART DECISIONS.

IT IS AN 8-4 GAME.

>> A THREE POINTER FROM ZION SMITH.

WERE, THE LONG-DISTANCE SHOOTING .

I >> A GREAT WAY AS LONG-DISTANCE SHOTS .

>> CUES WITH HIS FIRST TWO AND THE CAREER THREE-POINT LEADER IN EVERY CATEGORY FOR UNION COUNTY.

THROUGH ONE'S OWN.

>> BRIDGES AT THE CORNER.

AT THE REBOUND WITH ACTIVE HANDS .

GABRIEL TO PUSH .

AND NICE -- ?

>> WAS ABLE TO DISH OFF .

>> SO BACK TO BACK BASKETS NOW FOR UNION COUNTY .

>> AND BRIDGES COLLECTS IT AND BRIDGES ON THE BOARD.

6 NOW AND ON TOP.

THIS IS YOUNG AGAIN HE IS FOULED.

WE WILL TAKE A TIME-OUT HERE.

ON THE FLOOR WITH 2:54 TO GO.

BRIDGES AND MARCUS CURRY .

SO FAR IT IS THE BULLDOGS CONTROLLING THE GAME.

>> THE CLASS 2 A CHAMPIONSHIP UNDERWAY .

AND COACH GARRETT WAS TELLING US THAT GUY PLAYED FOR UNION COUNTY AND PLAY FOR HARRISON CAME BACK HOME AND JOIN THE COACHING RANKS FOR JUNIOR HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOL AND NOW HAS THE STATE TITLE.

>> THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME WAS 1971 AND HE IS TRYING TO BRING UP BACK AND IT STARTS INSIDE OUT WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

AT THE SAME TIME, YOU LOOK AT HOUSTON HENRY AND HIS GRANDFATHER WAS A STARTING POINT GUARD.

THEY WILL KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY AT UNION COUNTY AND HOPEFULLY THEY BRING HOME THE CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY THIS AFTERNOON .

>> AND COACH OF THE GIRLS TEAM AT UNION COUNTY AND NOW HIS SIXTH YEAR AS COACH OF THE BOY'S TEAM.

AND WITH THE DRIVING ATTEMPT WITH THE SENIORS AT 19 POINTS PER GAME .

HE MISSED THE FIRST FREE THROW AND NOW GETS THE SECOND.

SO ONE OF TWO FREE THROWS FOR THE GAME.

>> AND SCORING ON A MOVE INSIDE TRYING TO MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN.

IT WILL BE A JUMP ON IT STAY ON THIS END FOR BUTLER BASKETBALL .

>> YOU SEE THEM ATTACKING THE 1-3-1 AT THE BASELINE AND THAT'S THE WAY YOU GET THE DEFENSE.

>> INBOUND NOW TO SCURRY .

ALREADY ONE FREE-THROW TODAY .

HE GETS THAT AND PUTS IT BACK IN .

>> AT 5'10" , HE IS ATHLETIC AND WISE AND SMOOTH WITH HIS STYLE OF PLAY.

>> WITH BRIDGES AND ONE MORE LOOK AT SCURRY WHOSE ONLY 5'11" .

WATCH THEM GO UP HIGH TO GET THE REBOUND .

>> HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO WATCH IT.

>> THAT IS SOME SERIOUS HOPS?

>> AND SCURRY WITH LIVE ACTION HERE.

HIS GRANDFATHER PLAYED IN 1971 WHEN THEY WERE HERE.

AND TRYING TO CLEAR HIM OUT, AND THEY DO.

BRIDGES AND THE BULLDOGS HAVE GOT TO RUN AND THE DEFENSE .

>> YOU GOT THE TRANSITION AND THE BACK TIP THERE .

YOU'VE GOT SOMEONE BEHIND YOU WITH TEAMMATES TO BUTLER TRYING TO COMMUNICATE .

>> AND THE HESITATION TO GET THE DEFENDER IN THE AIR AND THEY DIDN'T GET THE SHOT.

THAT IS MARCUS CURRY JUNIOR 'S SECOND FOUL.

IN THEIR IS COACH CLARK .

SCURRY MAYBE COMING OUT OF THE GAME.

>> AND IN THE FIRST TWO , HE HITS THAT .

>> A LOT OF TIMES WHEN YOU ARE THE TOP PLAYER, YOU WANT TO SHOWCASE EVERYTHING .

YOU WANT TO SHOWCASE IT ALL BUT THE KEY ABOUT TOP PLAYERS ISSUE GOT TO LET THE GAME TO COME TO YOU.

YOU NEED TO LET THE GAME COME TO YOU AND NOT FORCE IT .

>> HE IS 3F FOUR FROM THE LINE AND NOW CUTTING DOWN THE SIXTH .

THERE IS THE DRAFT.

>> SMITH ON THE DRIVE AND BRIDGES IS FREE .

A REBOUND AND IT UP AND THEN .

>> FLEMING NOW HAS FIVE REBOUNDS IN THIS GAME OFFENSIVELY AND DEFENSIVELY .

HE HAS BEEN THE KEY FACTOR ON THE COURT FOR THE BULLDOGS SO FAR IN THE FIRST QUARTER.

>> THEORY IS FOR THE THREE.

>> SMITH , THERE HE IS AGAIN .

THERE HE IS AGAIN .

>> THERE IS SLIMMING AGAIN AND WATCH THIS.

HE HITS REALLY WELL WITH GOOD POSITION .

>> HIS 6'4" AND THE BEST PASS TO YOU AS A SHOT.

HE SEES IT AS A CHANCE TO GET A REBOUND AND SCORE .

>> BRIDGES ON THE JUMPER .

THREE POINTER AND 20 TO 9 THE COUNT NOW .

>> BY THE WAY, FLEMING IS AGAIN BATTLING FOR THE REBOUND.

ANOTHER BALL WILL STAY HERE.

>> SOMETIMES REBOUNDING IS IN ABOUT THE BIGGEST GUY ON THE FLOOR , IT'S ABOUT THE PLAYER THAT WANTS THE BALL THE MOST.

THAT IS THE MINDSET OF FLEMING COMING INTO TODAY'S CONTEST .

>> AND YOU MENTIONED WILLIAMS NUMBER FIVE IN THE GAME.

AND HE GOT HIS SECOND FOUL .

>> THERE IS NO SHOT CLOCK AND IT'S OUT OF BOUNDS .

AND DEFINITELY TRIGGERING IN TO USE.

HE MISSES BUT THREE FREE THROWS ARE COMING .

THAT GETS STROH BRIDGE OFF THE FOUL .

THE FELLOWS ARE BECOMING A BIT OF A PROBLEM FOR BUTLER.

>> THEY HOPE TO PLAY A LITTLE MORE WITH SHOOTERS ON SCREEN AND THEY WILL ATTACK DEFENSIVELY.

SOMETIMES IT'S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY AND SOMETIMES IT IS A BAD ONE ?

>> THE SECOND ONE IS TRUE AND THE SIX FOOT SOPHOMORE REPLACING BRIDGES .

>> AND THEY ARE IN POOR POSITIONS COMING UP FOR THE BUTLER BULLDOGS >> TWO BULLDOGS WITH TWO FOULS.

>> NO SHOT CLOCK AND THEY HOLD THE BALL FOR ONE WITH BUTLER.

IF NOT , A GREAT WIN FOR UNION COUNTY .

>> AND FLEMING WITH THE BALL IN 10 SECONDS IN THE FIRST QUARTER.

FLEMING SHOOTS FROM 12 AND THAT'S IT .

>> HE HAS MISSED EVERYTHING THIS AFTERNOON.

REBOUND AND SHOT BLOCKER .

>> GOOD PLAY FOR FLEMING .

>> WHAT A GREAT FIRST QUARTER FOR THE BUTLER BULLDOGS OUT OF AUGUSTA.

22 IN WITH HIS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.

HOW ABOUT FLEMING WITH A FREE BALL THERE .

HE'S GOING TO GET IT ALL DONE.

BRIDGES AS WELL .

THE BULLDOGS ARE TARGETED.

>> WELCOME BACK HERE WITH THE SECOND QUARTER ABOUT AGAIN WITH BUTLER VERSUS UNION COUNTY.

ON THE OTHER SIDE, A LOOK AT THE BULLDOGS WITH BUTLER AND COACH PARKS.

ALL HE WANTED TO DO WAS COME BACK HOME AND COACH THIS TEAM?

>> I TALKED TO HIM THIS WEEK .

HIS ENERGY AND PASSION FOR THE GAME AND HE LOVES THIS TEAM THAT HE SAID THIS IS THE YEAR WE GET BETTER AND THEY'VE BEEN PREPARING ALL SEASON LONG .

>> AND A COUPLE OF NOTES FOR HIS BULLDOGS.

FLEMING AND BRIDGES EACH WITH SEVEN POINTS.

AND REBOUNDS FOR BUTLER.

HE ALREADY HAS FIVE OF THOSE WITH SEVEN POINTS AND FIVE REBOUNDS FOR FLEMING .

THOSE TWO STARTERS , EACH WITH TWO FILES IN THE QUARTER AND WE WILL WATCH THAT .

>> THIS IS A DIFFERENT QUARTER WITH DEFENSE AND THEY CAN ELIMINATE THE DRIVE AND ATTACK THROUGH THE RIM.

>> STRETCHING OUT A THREE POINTER AND MAKE THAT INSIDE FOR THE JUMP SHOOTING FOR THE TEAM.

>> I REMEMBER THE SHOTS.

>> TO TRY TO GET IT INSIDE.

>> UNION COUNTY TURNOVERS IN THE GAME .

WILLIAMS ON THE TRIPLE AND TRY TO THROW THIS 1-3-1 ZONE .

NORTH CAROLINA SAYS WE WILL NOT GO MAN TO MAN.

AND WITH THE SHOT CLOCK.

>> YOU CAN SEE WHAT THEY ARE DOING RIGHT NOW.

HE IS UP WITH THE FOUL AND THAT IS GOING TO BE ON WALKER .

THAT IS HIS FIRST.

VERY QUICKLY, NUMBER 22 , AND IN THE GAME.

THAT IS WALKER'S SECOND FOUL.

THE STARTERS WITH BUTLER AND TWO VOWELS.

HENRY IS DEEP AND HENRY THE LEADING SCORER FOR THIS PANTHERS TEAM .

>> HE IS FIGHTING FOR HIS COUNTY AND FIGHTING FOR HIS FAMILY AND FIGHTING FOR HIS GRANDDAD .

>> THE THIRD GOAL OVERALL.

WILLIAMS AND THAT ONE WAS BLOCKED AND OFF AND RUNNING FOR THE REJECTION.

HAYES FOR 3 AND IT IS SHORT.

HUGHES .

I'M 9.

GAME --A NINE POINT GAME .

>> TOP OF THE KEY .

>> HE ALMOST NEVER COMES OUT OF THE GAME .

SUBSTITUTION .

HAYDEN COMES OUT OF THE GAME FOR UNION COUNTY .

HE STEPS OUT OF BOUNDS AND TURNOVER .

JUST RESET THE OFFENSES FOR YOU AND RESET THE UNION COUNTY LINE UP.

AND WITH YOUNG AND HENRY .

WILLIAMS AND STROH BRIDGE AND SMITH WITH FLEMING AND WALKER .

ON THE OTHER SIDE , BUTLER .

>> IN THAT POSSESSION YOU HAVE A 2-3 ZONE.

YOU SEE THAT WITH THE NEXT DEFENSIVE POSSESSION .

>> IT IS BACK TO 11 NOW.

YOUNG ON THE MASS .

WILLIAMS PUSHING AND GETS IT TO SMITH .

I WALKING FOUL.

CALLED ON HENRY .

>> SELL TWO SHOTS COMING UP FOR HENRY AND THAT IS HIS FIRST FOUL .

>> THAT WAS A GOOD CALL AND TRANSITION.

>> AND THE SENIOR , ZYION SMITH AT THE LINE .

A .

6 POINTS PER GAME FOR THE SENIOR.

>> ONE THING I AM IMPRESSED WITH THIS SQUAD , THEY HAVE FOUGHT THROUGH THE FIRST HALF AND NOW THEY GET SOME RHYTHM HERE IN THE SECOND QUARTER .

>> TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE STARTERS BEING OUT FOR WALKER.

1 AND 2 FOR SMITH EXTENDING THE BIGGEST LEAD OF THE GAME AT 12.

27-17.

DEFENSE BY STROH BRIDGE .

>> HE IS A TOUGH NOSED POINT GUARD.

>> GOING UP FOR THE REBOUND AND REACHING UP AND OVER .

>> THAT WAS A GOOD CALL BY THE OFFICIAL .

>> THAT'S WHAT IT IS , SOMETIMES YOU DO HAVE TO BOX OUT.

>> AND THE FIRST FOUL , BY THE WAY, ON SLIMMING.

THE CALL IS INSIDE AND HE IS FOULED AND THE FILES ARE RACKING UP FOR THE BULLDOGS.

>> IF YOU FEEL THE MOMENTUM STARTING TO SHIFT, IT IS.

THE FOUL SITUATION FOR BUTLER AND NOW CONFIDENCE IS COMING IN FOR THE UNION COUNTY PANTHERS AND THEY ARE GETTING SHOTS AND CUTTING TO THE LEAD .

>> IT HAS BEEN GOOD FOR THE PANTHERS.

THEY ARE 9 AND 10 WITH ONLY TWO FREE-THROW ATTEMPTS FOR THE BULLDOGS.

HOMES GETTING ONE OF 2 .

WILLIAMS WITH THE PAST AND BACK TO WILLIAMS.

HUGHES THE REBOUND AND QUICKLY IN THE HANDS OF YOUNG.

A GOOD JOB BY THE BULLDOGS IN GETTING BACK WITH THE TRANSITION .

THEY ARE GOING TO RESET WITH HENRY.

>> YOUNG AND HOMES DECIDED NO .

YOUNG AT BASELINE.

OFFENSIVE FOUL .

>> I CAN SHARE THIS WITH YOU THAT IT WAS A GREAT POSSESSION DEFENSIVELY FOR THE BUTLER BULLDOGS .

A WAY TO MOVE YOUR FEET AND THAT IS TEXTBOOK DEFENSE THERE BY WILLIAMS DRAWING THE CHARGE .

>> SO YOUNG THAT IS HIS FURRED FOUL AND SO HE SITS DOWN .

NOW SCURRY IS BACK IN AND BREAKS FOR BUTLER.

AND STROH BRIDGE FOR 3 .

IT IS TAKEN AWAY BY HUGHES.

>> AND HE DRIVES IT AND IT'S A FOUL ON FLEMING.

AND, WE GET A TIME-OUT ON THE FLOOR.

3:41 TO GO UNTIL HALF TIME AND UNION COUNTY TRYING TO CLIMB >> WELCOME BACK TO THE MACON COLISEUM .

3:41 IN THE FIRST HALF .

AND BUTLER CHASING THEIR FIRST TITLE SINCE 1966.

THE HEAD COACH HOUSE A BIO BLAST AS WELL WITH IT COMES TO THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM.

HE WAS THE FIRST ONE TO PLAY IN AND BE AN ASSISTANT COACH AND AND NOW LEAD THEM TO STATE IN 2020, 2022 AND NOW COMING INTO THEIR LAST GAME OF THE YEAR .

>> WE WENT TO BREAK AND THE SCOREBOARD HERE IN THE ARENA WITH THE SCORE AT 27-19.

WHAT YOU SAW ON OUR SCREEN ON GPB IS CORRECT AT 27-16 .

WE HAVE THE SCORE WITH HOLDEN PAYNE .

THREE FOULS AND THIS IS THE FIRST.

>> HE HAS MADE THE FIRST, CORRECTION AND NOW HE HITS A SECOND .

>> YEAH, THIS IS ONE OF THOSE GAMES THAT COULD GO EITHER WAY, ESPECIALLY AFTER HALFTIME.

>> HOW AGGRESSIVE WILL SCURRY AND BRIDGES BE WITH THIS BOUNCE ?

>> DEFENSIVELY THEY WON'T BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO PICK UP THE FOUL BEFORE THE HALF .

>> DURING THE TIME-OUT, FLEMING TAKING THE SEED AND HE ALSO HAS TOO MUCH FOULS.

THAT ONE WON'T GO .

THE REBOUND FOR UNION CITY .

>> IN ONE OF THOSE SHOTS IS EXACTLY WHAT UNION COUNTY WANTS.

SCORING THE SHOT AND SCORING IN TRANSITION AND GETTING THE LEAD.

>> WITH THE REBOUND AND A REGION FOUL.

>> THAT IS HIS SECOND FOUL.

>> A BIG POSSESSION FOR THE BUTLER BULLDOGS.

>> FLEMING IS OUTSTANDING WITH NINE POINTS IN THE GAME ALREADY.

AND HOLMES AT THE OTHER END AND A LAYUP .

THE PANTHERS COUNTED DOWN TO 7 .

>> NOT TO CONTEST THAT LAYUP.

>> RIDGES CAN'T GET THAT TO GO.

>> UNION COUNTY IS REALLY GOOD .

THEY'RE PUTTING PRESSURE AND OFFENSE AND DEFENSE I'M FORCING BUTLER TO NOT TAKE SHOTS.

DEFLECTION IS A BIG PLUS FOR THIS TEAM WHICH LEADS TO TRANSITION BASKETS.

>> AND PICKING UP THE FOUL RIGHT BEFORE HALFTIME.

>> A FREE THROW IN AND THAT IS THE SECOND ONE.

WITH HIS NUMBERS IN THE SECOND QUARTER .

>> BACKUP TO 9 AND 29-20.

>> GETTING POUNDED BY ZYION SMITH.

HENRY THE REBOUND.

AND HE DOUBLES IT .

>> A DOUBLE JUMP THAT WAS .

THE CONCERN IS WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE FLEMING IN THE GAME AND YOU DON'T HAVE BUTLER, YOU HAVE A REBOUND .

THEY NEED TO BACK THAT UP AND MAKE A FIVE-MAN TANDEM FOR DEFENSIVE BASKETBALL .

SHE IT IS 3-1.

YOU MAKE A PASS AND WITH THE TRANSITION BASKETS AND STILL THING A >> HE COULDN'T GET IT TO GO.

TAKEN AWAY BY WILLIAMS .

STEPPING OUT OF BOUNDS BEFORE HE COULD GET THE BALL TO HIS TEAMMATE, GRAY .

YOU HEARD A GROAN FROM THE CROWD BEHIND US.

WE WILL LOOK AT IT HERE.

>> IT WAS CLOSED, I DIDN'T SEE IT ON THE BASELINE.

IT WAS CLOSE.

>> FOR HUGHES, THREE AND THAT WON'T GO.

OUT OF BOUNDS AND 2, BUTLER .

>> I THINK COACH CLARK IS MAKING A WISE DECISION .

THE BEST PLAYER ON THE COURT IN THE FIRST HALF HAS BEEN FLEMING BUT YOU DON'T WANT HIM TO PICK UP THREE FOULS GOING INTO HALFTIME .

SO, THE GUYS ON THE COURT ARE GOING TO HAVE TO TOUGHEN UP WITH A DOUBLE-DIGIT LEAD HEREBY HALFTIME .

>> HE IS SO IMPRESSIVE TOO THAT THE CHANCE OF A FURRED THIRD FOUL IS IMPRESSIVE .

HE'S ALWAYS IN THE MIX .

>> IS AVERAGING 17 POINTS PER GAME WITH 1000 POINTS IN HIS CAREER.

>> GOOD DOUBLE DIGITS WITH A NICE LOOK INSIDE AND A GOOD LOOK BY HENRY .

>> GOOD BASKETBALL BY UNION COUNTY AND THEY UNDERSTAND THEY HAVE TO BE MORE AGGRESSIVE ATTACKING THE RIM WITH THE SHOOTING OPPORTUNITIES.

>> NOW KOBE.

>> THE PANTHERS COME AWAY WITH IT AND HENRY AGAIN.

>> HENRY ON THE RUNNER .

>> VERY IMPRESSED WITH HENRY .

HE'S PUTTING HIS TEAM ON HIS BACK AND IS A LEADER AND HAS BEEN THERE FOUR YEARS.

IF IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN, HE IS GOING TO FIND A WAY.

>> 31-24 AND THAT IS FOR UNION COUNTY ON THEIR FEET HERE IN MACON.

>> A ONE-SHOT POSSESSION AND A LAST SHOT POSSESSION FOR THE HALF.

>> BRIDGES HAS BEEN HOT AND GETS IT TO GO.

A NICE JUMPER.

>> GIVE IT TO HIM AT 17 POINTS PER GAME.

HE IS STARTING TO TAKE OFF AND PUT THIS TEAM ON ITS BACK .

>> WHAT FIRST HAVE FOR THE BUTLER BULLDOGS AND WHAT A JOB BY UNION COUNTY STAYING IN THE GAME.

THEY WERE DOWN 27-16 AT ONE POINT AND BATTLED BACK.

THEY CLOSE THE GAP DOWN TO 7 AND HEADING TO THE LOCKER ROOM RIGHT NOW .

33-24 .

OUR COACHES INTERVIEW PRESENTED BY BREDA PEST MANAGEMENT , THE OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL AND NOW LET'S GO TO JOHN NELSON .

>> YOU HAD BRIDGES WITH TWO FOULS IN THE GUYS KEPT THE MARGIN TO WHERE IT WAS RIGHT ON THE EDGE , WHAT DID YOU THINK?

>> WE HAD TO WIN THE REGION CHAMPIONSHIP WITH OUR BEST PLAYER, MARCUS SCURRY GOING DOWN.

THE GUYS STAY RESILIENT AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE AND WE TAKE IT ONE POSSESSION AT A TIME.

WE ARE ONE POSSESSION AT A TIME TYPE OF TEAM .

>> NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

COMING UP AROUND THE CORNER IS HANNAH AND THE HALFTIME SHOW .

WE HAVE THE GHSA CHAMPIONSHIPS HERE ON GPB.

> >> WELCOME TO THE HALFTIME SHOW.

WE ARE LIVE FROM THE MACON COLISEUM FOR THE BOYS AND GIRLS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WE ARE HALFWAY BETWEEN UNION COUNTY AND BUTLER WITH THE BULLDOGS AHEAD 33-24 .

WE HAVE THREE STRAIGHT DAYS WITH TWO MORE TO GO.

I HAVE BUTLER PRINCIPAL BERNARD CHAPMAN TO MY LEFT.

WE WILL START WITH YOU.

THE FIRST HALF WAS AN OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE .

>> WE HAD GREAT DEFENSE AND A GREAT TEAM AND WE HAVE A GREAT, GREAT HUSTLING TEAM.

SO FAR, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP UNION COUNTY'S BASKETS FROM GOING IN AND WE HOPE OUR BASKETS CONTINUE TO GO IN .

>> WITH ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE SECOND HALF , WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN?

>> PRETTY MUCH THE OPPOSITE .

WE NEED TO HIT MORE BASKETS.

THE BOYS ARE PLAYING HARD AND I'M SURE THERE ARE NERVES THERE BUT WE NEED MORE BASKETS TO GO IN , I'M SURE .

>> YOUR TEAM IS NEVER WON A BASKETBALL TITLE AND THE FANS HAVE SHOWN OUT.

HOW BIG OF A DEAL IS THIS ?

>> IT IS HUGE FOR THE COMMUNITY IN 53 YEARS SINCE WE HAVE PLAYED IN THIS GAME AND WE'VE NEVER WON IT .

YOU CAN SEE FROM THE TURNOUT EVERYBODY IS EXCITED.

>> Reporter: WHAT WOULD IT MEAN TO BRING THIS TROPHY BACK HOME?

>> WE ARE REPRESENTING A GUST OF BULLDOG PRIDE AND WE WANT TO BRING THE TITLE BACK TO THE ENTIRE CITY.

YOU CAN SEE WE HAVE LOTS OF FANS WHO MADE THE TREK UP HERE TODAY AND WE HOPE TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE CITY BECAUSE WE ARE PROUD OF OUR TEAM.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE KIDS ON THE COURT, MOST OF THOSE KIDS.

MARCUS SCURRY HAS SIGNED ON WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER AND WE ARE PROUD OF OUR TEAM.

WE WANT TO KEEP THIS SCORE , JOSH, I'M SORRY TO SAY IT BUT WE WANT THINGS ROLLING OUR WAY .

WE WANT TO GO BACK AND CELEBRATE.

OUR COACHES A GRADUATE FROM BUTLER AND HE HAS DONE A PHENOMENAL THING WITH OUR SCHOOL TEAM SO FAR THIS YEAR .

WE ARE HOPING TO COME OUT ON TOP TODAY IS >> WE HAVE THE SAME STORY WITH SOME TOGETHER SINCE KINDERGARTEN AND THE COACHES GRADUATING AND IT'S A GREAT THING, YOU KNOW .

>> WE KNOW YOU ARE GOOD AT BASKETBALL , BRAG ON YOUR ACADEMICS .

>> IN THIS COLISEUM WE HAD A STATE CHAMPION WRESTLER JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO AND FOUR OTHERS PLACED IN THE TOP FIVE .

ACTUALLY, ALL OF OUR ATHLETIC PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN TO THE STATE PLAYOFFS SO FAR THIS YEAR AND WE ARE WANTING TO KEEP IT GOING.

OUR FINE ARTS PROGRAM IS DOING AWESOME AND OUR LARGE GROUP LG PE SCORED HIGHER THAN THEY EVER HAVE IN OUR BAND IS DOING GREAT STUFF.

ANYWAY, IT'S AWESOME AND WE ARE KICKING INTO HIGH GEAR WITH ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS AND IT'S A GREAT TIME TO BE A PANTHER .

>> DR. CHAMPION --CHAPMAN, IT'S YOUR TURN .

>> OUR GIRLS HAVE BEEN DOING FANTASTIC.

WE HAD A SUPER GIRLS TEAM THIS YEAR AND SO WE HAD A GOOD FOOTBALL TEAM THIS YEAR AND MADE IT TO THE PLAYOFFS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE I'VE BEEN PRINCIPAL AT THE SCHOOL AND WE ARE DOING GREAT THINGS .

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

AGAIN, WE ARE HOPING TO CELEBRATE THIS AFTERNOON .

>> ARE GIRLS MADE THE ELITE 8 TOO .

>> AWESOME .

>> MAYBE WE'LL SEE THEM NEXT YEAR .

>> YES, MA'AM .

>> WE WILL THANK YOU SO MUCH AND WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN THE SECOND HALF.

WE HAVE TO TAKE A QUICK BREAK BUT AFTER THE BREAK WE WILL SHOW YOU WHAT YOU HAVE MISSED AND WHAT IS TO COME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WELCOME BACK TO THE HALFTIME SHOW .

IT'S THE AA MATCHUP WITH UNION COUNTY AND BUTLER AT THE HALF.

THE BULLDOGS ARE UP 33-24 .

A STRONG SHOW OUT OF BOTH SIDES AND THE ATMOSPHERE IS ELECTRIC AND WE WILL SHOW YOU WHAT HAPPENED EARLIER TODAY WITH THE SCORE OF THIS ONE .

THIS AFTERNOON AT 1:00, WE STARTED THINGS OFF WITH GIRLS AA MATCHUP AT 37-44 FOR THE FIRST-EVER STATE TITLE FOR THE GOLDEN HAWKS.

NOW IT IS 33-24 WITH THE BULLDOGS AND PANTHERS WHO HAVE NEVER WON A STATE TITLE EVER WOW BUTLER HAS ONE FROM 1966.

TWO MORE GAMES TO COME AND FOLLOW ALONG ON SOCIAL MEDIA .

ALL THE STREAMING PLATFORMS AND ALL SOCIAL MEDIA AND DOWNLOAD THE GPB SPORTS APP .

WE WILL BE BACK WITH A TIP OFF RIGHT AFTER THIS ONE.

ENJOY THE SECOND HALF.

>> WITH THE DEFENSE EVENT, THEY ARE PUNCTURING OUR 1-3-1 JUST A LITTLE BIT AND WE NEED HELP FROM THE BACKSIDE .

WHEN WE GET MORE DEFLECTIONS AND TURN THAT TO TRANSITION, WE JUST GOT TO GET A FEW MORE DEFLECTIONS FROM THE BACKSIDE TURN THAT INTO STILLS AND INTO TRANSITION AND IF WE GET THAT GOING IN THE SECOND HALF, WE WILL BE FINE .

>> THAT IS THE LOWDOWN FROM THE BACK OF THE JERSEYS.

>> BACK HERE COURTSIDE , LARRY SMITH WITH TOUGH SHOOTING FROM UNION COUNTY AND SOME SHARP SHOOTING .

WHAT ABOUT BRIDGES?

>> HE IS 6'3" AND A JUNIOR AND THE WAY HE SCORES , HE ATTACKS THE RIM AND HE IS LONG AND LANKY AND ATHLETIC .

AND I SHOT THERE WITH A NICE STROKE .

THE THING I LIKE ABOUT WHAT HE DOES IS HE FINDS AN OPEN INCREASE IN THE DEFENSE.

ONE-3-1 , THERE'S ALWAYS AN ALPINE AREA FOR A SHOT.

IF HE CAN PRODUCE THAT SAME ENERGY AND EFFORT IN PRODUCTION IN THE SECOND HALF, HE WILL HAVE SOME HITS.

>> ONE CONCERN FOR COACH CLARK.

BRIDGES AND SCURRY AND FLEMING AND WALKER ON THE OTHER SIDE.

THREE FOULS AND HOUSTON HENRY HAS TWO FOULS .

WE TALKED WITH THE COACH THAT ONE OF 12 SHOOTING FROM OUTSIDE THE ARC.

AND 11 OF THEIR 24 POINTS COMING RIGHT HERE IN THE FIRST HALF .

>> HENRY FOR 3 AND BRIDGES THE REBOUND IN THE BULLDOGS COMING THE OTHER WAY .

>> BALL TIPS AND DEFENSE .

>> THE DEFENSE DEFLECTS AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THE PANTHER PROGRAM HAS TALKED ABOUT ALL SEASON LONG, DEFLECTION .

>> AND THIS ONE FOR BUTLER.

HOLMES FADES AWAY .

AND THAT'S OVER THE BACK ON THE REBOUND.

>> INTERESTINGLY , TO THE GAME, ESPECIALLY IN THE SECOND HALF, BOTH LOOK AT THIS AS A 0-0 START .

IT'S NOT ABOUT YOUR STYLE OF PLAY , IT'S WE HAVE GOT TO WIN THIS HALF AND WHOEVER WINS THIS HALF HAS A CHANCE TO WIN THE GAME .

>> STRONG ON DEFENSE AND LESS THAN 30% SHOOTING ON THE GAME.

SIX OF 20 AND A NICE TRIP HERE BY YOUNG.

ALL THE WAY DOWN AND IT'S OFF TO COMBS AND THEN YOUNG TO 3.

JUST ONE THREE-POINTER TODAY AND HUGHES IS 0-6 OUTSIDE OF THE ARK .

>> AND A CALL BY BRIDGES.

AND VERY QUICKLY HERE IN THE OPENING MINUTE AND CHANGE BY THE BULLDOGS.

>> THE FIRST MINUTES OF THE SECOND HALF IS ALWAYS CHALLENGING FOR THE BALL TEAMS.

ONE TEAM USUALLY TAKES ADVANTAGE OF MISTAKES BY THE OTHER BUT IT LOOKS LIKE BOTH TEAMS HAVE NOT FOUND THEIR RHYTHM YET IN THE FIRST TWO MINUTES OF THE QUARTER.

>> AND IN THE HANDS OF WALKER FOR BUTLER TRYING TO BRING A CHAMPIONSHIP BACK TO A DESK A.

THE LAST 2 A CHAMPIONSHIP .

AND THE MISS ON THE JUMPER AND FOUL ON THE REBOUND.

THE FOUL ON WALKER.

WITH WALKER, THAT IS HIS THIRD FOUL.

NOW DUSTIN GRAY CHECKING IN FOR WALKER .

>> BALL DROP.

>> MAKING A MISTAKE AND THAT'S THE THING ABOUT WINNING A CHAMPIONSHIP.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE MENTALITY OF PLAYING ASSERTIVE AND AGGRESSIVE THE ENTIRE GAME .

>> THAT WHEN ONE GO ANYWHERE AND HENRY PUSHING FOR THE PANTHERS INITIATES CONTACT.

FLEMING WITH ANOTHER REBOUND AND HE IS OUTSTANDING.

>> THIS IS A GOOD TIME OUT HERE BY COACH CLARK.

>> I CAN HEAR HIM SPEAKING ABOUT IT AND HE CAN SEE THE RHYTHM OF THE GAME OFFENSIVELY AND DEFENSIVELY.

THAT IS IMPORTANT FROM A COACH'S POINT OF VIEW, YOU HAVE TO SEE WHAT YOUR YOUNG SQUAD DOES NOT SEE AND MAYBE CALL SOMETHING UP AND CHANGE THE DEFENSE AND GETTING THEM BACK IN SYNC .

>> WITH ALL THE FOUL PROBLEMS YOU'VE GOT, WITH WALKER WHO IS 6'5", HE IS COMING OUT OF THE GAME .

HOW DO YOU STAY AGGRESSIVE BECAUSE THEY ARE AN AGGRESSIVE TEAM AND LOVE TO DRIVE INTO THE BASKET AND INITIATE CONTACT.

HOW DO YOU KEEP THAT UP ?

>> IT'S NOT ABOUT SCORING .

THAT'S THE THING.

IT'S NOT ABOUT SCORING THE BASKET WHEN YOU ARE SCORING OFF OFFENSIVELY .

SOMETIMES IT IS ABOUT ATTACKING AND MOVING THE BALL SIDE TO SIDE .

ON THE SHOT CLOCK, YOU FORCE THE DEFENSE TO MAKE A MISTAKE VERSUS GIVING THE DEFENSE AND OUT WITH AN EARLY JUMPSHOT OR STROKE FROM THE PERIMETER.

>> COACH WAS WALKING AROUND OUTSIDE THE HUDDLE AND HIS ASSISTANTS MADE THE CALL FROM INSIDE THE HUDDLE.

>> MY DAD USED TO LOVE COACH TALK.

>> HE WAS THE MAN, HE WAS THE MAN.

>> AND COACH CLARK HAS A LITTLE BIT MORE HAIR .

>> YES.

>> HEARS THE 1-3-1 .

>> MAKE A PASS .

IT CANNOT BE A DIRECT PASS ALL THE TIME.

>> BRIDGES LEADING THE SCORE IN THE GAME WITH 13 POINTS.

>> SOMEONE NEEDS TO FLASH TO THE MIDDLE .

>> THE BALL IS KNOCKED AWAY AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT MAY HAVE BEEN OFF BRAY BUT THEY STAY HERE .

>> I LIKE THE WAY UNION COUNTY IS PLAYING THIS 1-3-1.

>> BRIDGES EASY DOES IT WITH A NICE INBOUND PLAY THERE.

>> HE ATTACKED THE OPENING AREA WHICH IS USUALLY INSIDE THE PAINT THAT YOU'VE GOT TO BE DECISIVE.

EXCESSIVE ATTACKING THE RIM IN THE RIGHT AREAS .

>> UNION COUNTY TRYING TO FIND SOME OFFENSE .

>> SIX FIELD GOALS IN THE GAME.

>> INSIDE TO COMBS.

OUT FOR HUGHES AND A GREAT SHOT AND FINALLY ONE TO GO DOWN .

>> HE NEEDED THAT, UNION COUNTY NEEDED THAT .

>> THE LEADING THREE-POINT SHOOTER IN COUNTY HISTORY WITH HIS FIRST PASS OF THE AFTERNOON.

>> ATTACK THE MIDDLE OF THE RIM .

>> BRIDGES WITH A REBOUND TO YOUNG AND HERE COME THE PANTHERS.

>> THIS IS TIME TO RUN .

YOU ARE THE PANTHERS AND YOU HAVE NUMBERS IN TRANSITION, ATTACK THE RIM .

>> AND LATE WHISTLE .

>> A LOT OF TIMES , YOU DON'T WANT TO MAKE MISTAKES.

NICE ATTACKING THE PAINT AND THE PAINT TOUCHES.

GOOD CALL BY THE OFFICIAL .

>> AND WITH DUSTIN BRAY, THAT IS HIS SECOND WITH 11 POINTS ON THE SEASON .

HE CAN'T GET THAT TO FALL.

>> LOOK AT THE PRESSURE IN UNION COUNTY .

YOU CAN STAND THE 1-3-1 TRYING TO FORCE THE ACTION WITH A LITTLE PRESSURE .

>> SO, FOUR STRAIGHT POINTS NOW .

THIS IS BUTLER LEADING NOW WITH 7 .

>> AND THE REBOUND IN THE HANDS OF HENRY, UNION COUNTY AND A CHANCE TO CUT THEM DOWN.

AND A THREE-POINTER AND HE GETS HIS OWN REBOUND AND UP, NO .

BULLDOGS ON THE RUN AND HE GETS IT TO SMITH AND IT IS IN .

>> THAT IS TEXTBOOK TRANSITION BASKETBALL .

I 3 AND 1 OPPORTUNITY AND BRIDGES HELD THE BALL RIGHT UNTIL THE RIGHT TIME GIVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO HIS TEAMMATE .

THAT IS BRIDGES IN THE PAINT TO THE TOP OF THE KEY.

AND ZYION SMITH WILL FINISH .

>> THE FOUL LINE HUGHES, NUMBER 34 WITH ONE MORE LOOK AT IT HERE .

A NICE JOB WITH A PERFECT PASS AT A BEAUTIFUL TIME .

>> YOU CAN TELL THEY WORKED ON TRANSITION AND PRACTICE.

>> THE THROW IS NO GOOD ANY HE KEEPS IT AT A NINE POINT GAME .

>> IT WILL CHANGE.

2-2-1 PRESS .

>> HIS THIRD FOUL .

>> JUST BECAUSE YOU PRESS DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO GAMBLE .

>> WE WILL TAKE A TIME-OUT HERE WITH 3:58 HERE TO GO IN THE THIRD QUARTER .

YOU CAN FEEL THE INTENSITY GETTING THICKER HERE INSIDE THE CENTER PLEX.

MORE AFTER THIS.

>> BACK IN MACON AT 37-28 .

>> AND EARLY IN THE THIRD QUARTER, THAT WAS NOT A SMART FOUL.

HE WAS INTENSE BUT HE WAS TEACHING .

HE WANTED THE YOUNG MAN TO STAY IN THE GAME AND MAINTAIN COMPOSURE BUT UNDERSTAND THAT JUST BECAUSE WE ARE PRESSING DOESN'T MEAN WE ARE TRYING TO CREATE A TURNOVER OR A STEAL .

>> WITH HIS CORE OF PLAYERS.

WITH HIS KEY FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME .

>> >> THERE HE IS.

>> WHEN YOU CAN STRUGGLE LIKE THAT, IT IS A STRUGGLE.

>> >> YOU CAN TELL THE RHYTHM OF THE GAME IS STARTING TO CHANGE AND BOTH TEAMS ARE STARTING TO PLAY WITH CONFIDENCE AND BOTH ARE MOVING THE BALL BETTER AND BOTH ARE STARTING TO SHOOT BETTER.

>> THAT IS BIG-TIME BASKETBALL, BIG-TIME BASKETBALL.

IN THE CORNER BUT HE WAS ABLE TO GET THE LAYOUT.

>> A GOOD LOOK THEREBY HENRY WITH THE POINT GUARD LEADER OF THE TEAM.

BRIDGES INSIDE .

>> AS YOU CAN TELL, THESE LAST THREE OR FOUR POSSESSIONS AS THE TEMPO STARTED TO PICK UP , EVERYONE IS STARTING TO GET INTO A RHYTHM AND THE PLAYERS ARE PLAYING AT THEIR STRENGTHS AND NOT THEIR WEAKNESSES.

ATTACKING THE RIM .

EVERYBODY IS MAKING PLAYS OFF OFFENSIVELY AND BE IN THAT PLAYMAKER .

WHEN YOU PLAYED YOUR STRENGTHS AND NOT YOUR WEAKNESSES, THE TEAM LOOKS BETTER .

>> FOR HENRY, THAT'S HIS THIRD AND BRIDGES WITH A 3.

PLAY .

AND 42-33 .

>> HENRY , THIS IS BEEN A GREAT MATCHUP ALL AFTERNOON .

A NICE DITCH TO YOUNG .

BRIDGES WITH THE REBOUND AND HE HAS NUMBERS 4 AND 2.

TO SCURRY AND UP AND IN .

>> BODY CONTROL BY SCURRY.

GREAT BODY CONTROL BY SCURRY .

YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW COORDINATED THAT IS.

HE HAD A CHANCE TO GO TO THE RIM BUT PLAYED OFF TO FEED.

UNDER CONTROL AND UP TWO FEET AND HE IS THERE OFFENSIVELY .

>> HE IS FIVE FEET 11 WITH GREAT HOPS AND STRONG CONTROL .

>> A LOT OF PLAYERS WANT TO GO ALL THE WAY TO THE RIM IN TRANSITION BUT SOMETIMES THAT WILL UP JUMPSHOT ON THE BLOCK IS A TEXTBOOK PLAY MISSING IN TODAY'S GAME .

>> AND WITH SCURRY WITH HIS FIRST BASKET HERE IN THE SECOND HALF WITH THE BALL BACK ON TOP .

AT THE 2:23 MARK.

>> 8 ASSISTS, BY THE WAY WITH THREE OF THEM BY BRIDGES.

>> SO, BUTLER TURNING AWAY THIS RUN .

>> JOHN NELSON , WHAT IF YOU GOT .

>> SPENDING A LITTLE TIME IN THE UNION COUNTY HUDDLE LISTENING TO THE COACH.

THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A WAY SO HOUSTON COULD DO HIS JOB AND THAT'S A QUOTE.

>> FLEMING AND INSIDE NOW FOR BRAY .

IT IS SHORT AND HE GETS IT BACK UP AGAIN AND THAT IS SHORT.

COMBS WITH THE REBOUND.

>> THE PANTHERS DOING A BETTER JOB AT THE BOARD THAN THEY DID EARLY ON IN THIS GAME .

>> THERE HE GOES.

THREE IN A ROW .

>> I AM TELLING YOU, THAT'S A RHYTHM SHOT AND HE IS GETTING INTO HIS RHYTHM .

YOU MAY WANT TO ISOLATE HIM DEFENSIVELY TO MAKE SURE HE NEVER TOUCHES THE BALL WITH OFFENSE AGAIN.

>> SHOOTING IN THE FIRST HALF AND DOWN HERE ON COMBS.

A BIG REACTION TOO BY THE TEAM , UNION COUNTY TO KNOW WHERE THE SHOOTER IS.

A GREAT LOOK .

>> NICE BY HUGHES AND A NICE FIND BY YOUNG .

THE GAME IS STARTING TO GET IN THE RHYTHM AND YOU CAN HEAR THE VANS STARTING TO UNDERSTAND WE'VE GOT A BASKETBALL GAME .

>> BOTH TEAMS ARE BEING VERY COMPETITIVE.

>> A GREAT JOB THERE ON THE INBOUND.

>> UNION COUNTY REFUSES TO GO AWAY .

DOWN BY 8 .

HUGHES HAS FOUND HIS STROKE IN THE CORNER.

TRYING TO GET IT TO HIM AGAIN.

COMBS ON THE DRIVE.

I SHOVE BACK INTO COMBS .

HE TURNS AND NO .

YES , AND THAT'S THE WAY YOU HAVE TO PLAY .

>> YOU'RE NOT GOING TO WIN THIS GAME WITH STAFF POINTS TODAY .

>> THE LEAD IS CUT DOWN TO SIX.

>> THERE IS THE 1-3-1 .

>> AND VINCE MAREVKA ON THE FLOOR.

>> THAT WAS A GOOD CALL.

>> THAT IS HIS SECOND FOUL.

>> IN THE PREVIOUS POSSESSION, THOUGH , IS SOMETHING YOU WANT TO WATCH, ESPECIALLY WITH BUTLER ON DEFENSE.

AND IT'S NOT A BOX IN ONE BUT IT'S NO HELP .

WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THIS POSSESSION .

>> THAT WAS A FOUL AGAINST UNION COUNTY SO ZYION SMITH SHOOTING A PAIR .

>> THIS IS THE SECOND FOR BUTLER WITH 5 OF 8 AT THE LINE AS A TEAM .

>> HE IS NO HELP FACE GUARDING DEFENSE.

>> YOUNG TRYING TO GET HANDS-ON HUGHES .

GOOD DEFENSE THERE .

GOOD REACTION BY SMITH.

>> JUMP SHOTS WERE NOT FALLING FOR THE PANTHERS EARLY ON BUT NOW THEY HAVE FOUND A WAY .

GOOD BLOCK THERE AND REJECTION .

>> AN INJURED PLAYER, THAT IS YOUNG WHO IS DOWN .

>> I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT CALL .

I FEEL LIKE THAT WAS A TRANSITION BASKET .

BUTLER HAD POSSESSION OF THE BALL .

>> WE WILL LOOK AT IT AGAIN .

>> RIGHT IN THE CORNER WITH NO HELP.

HE CAN'T GET HELP OFFICE HAYDEN HUGHES RIGHT NOW .

THAT IS THE CHANGE FOR THE BUTLER BULLDOGS AND HIS STAFF IS LIKE NO HELP ON HUGHES .

>> SO HE COMES OUT OF THE GAME IN HOLDEN PAIN COMES BACK IN.

>> HOLDEN FOR THE FINAL SHOT IN THE THIRD QUARTER.

SCURRY WHO WILL BE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER NEXT YEAR.

HE HAS THE BALL HERE AT FIVE SECONDS AND TAKES THE SHOT AT THREE AND IT'S NO GOOD .

HE FOLLOWS IT BACK UP .

>> AND BUTLER SEES THE LEAD CUT IN WITH THESE EIGHT MINUTES AND EIGHT MORE TO GO.

THE BUNDLE BULLDOGS TRYING TO CLOSE IT OUT BUT THE PANTHERS ARE DETERMINES.

>> >> WELCOME BACK INSIDE THE MACON CENTERPLEX HERE IN GEORGIA AT THE GPB GHSA CHAMPIONSHIP .

ALONGSIDE JOHN NELSON WITH THE LEAD CUT DOWN THE 7 AFTER A LEAD OF 45-38 .

AND SHOOTING WITH HAYDEN HUGHES WITH NINE OF HIS POINTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER.

HE SCORED POINTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER .

THE ALL-TIME LEADING SCORER HE SHOT 93 THREES AS A SOPHOMORE AND TOP THAT THIS YEAR WITH ALL THE DEFENSE SCARED TO TRYING TO STOP HIM.

A 1-2 1 DEFENSE RIGHT NOW TRYING TO LOSE THIS MOMENTUM .

>> GETTING THE BULLDOGS OFF THE BOARD.

>> AND FOR THE PANTHERS WITH HUGHES ON THE OUTSIDE .

YES, HE KNOWS HOW TO SINK A BASKETBALL .

>> YOU TALK ABOUT SCHOOL OF RECORD AND WHEREVER HE IS, YOU KNOW HE HAS TO GET THERE TO GET THE SHOT .

>> HE HAS NOT BEEN THAT CLOSE IN THE SINCE THE FIRST QUARTER BACK WHEN I WAS A 5-2 LEAD.

IN THIS TIME HE STOPS TO SHOOT AND THIS TIME A TRIPLE .

>> IS SAID DEFENSE IS TO FACE GUARD HIM AND MAKE IT FALL ON THE FLOOR AND THERE'S NO HELP .

IN TRANSITION, THEY LOST HIM AND HE WAS ABLE TO TEE IT UP FOR ANOTHER SHOT .

>> 15 POINTS ON THE GAME AT THE LEADING SCORER FOR HENRY COUNTY AND HENRY TRYING TO FIND SOMETHING.

HENRY FOR 3 AND THAT'S IN .

>> THAT'S RHYTHM IN THE WAY UNION COUNTY WANTS TO PLAY .

>> IT'S 1.

GAME HERE IN MACON .

STOLEN .

AND A JUMP BALL .

IT WILL STAY BUTLER BASKETBALL BUT YOU CAN SENSE IT SHIFTING BACK TO THREE-POINT SHOOTING BY THE PANTHERS .

>> THE THING ABOUT IT WHEN YOU ARE DOWN , YOU ARE PLAYING WITH NOTHING TO LOSE.

THAT'S HOW UNION COUNTY IS PLAYING, GUYS, WE HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE.

AND BUTLER IS PLAYING NOT TO LOSE AND THEY JUST LOST THE 9 POINT LEAD AND DOWN BY ONE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER .

>> REPLACING POINT --HOLDEN PAYNE WHO WENT DOWN WITH AN APPARENT INJURY .

11 HIM-2 RUN RIGHT NOW CLOSING THE GAP DOWN TO 1.

THAT GAME WAS TIED AT 2-2 IN THE OPENING MINUTES.

AND BRAY INSIDE AND REJECTED .

>> NOW WE'VE GOT A GAME AND WE'VE GOT RHYTHM AND WE'VE GOT PASSION FROM THE FANS IN THE STANDS AND WE'VE GOT IT ALL.

>> THEY GET THE BALL INTO THE HANDS OF THEIR SHARPSHOOTER AND THERE IT IS WITH AN OFFENSE OF FOUL ON THE PICK .

>> GOOD DEFENSE BY ZYION SMITH .

>> THAT WAS A TOUGH HARD SCREAM BY YOUNG TO BREAK THE TURNOVER .

>> HE WASN'T SET.

>> AND KIND OF CATCHING THEIR BREATH FOR JUST A BONUS.

>> UNION COUNTY RUNNING THE ZONE OUT AND IN THE BACKCOURT.

CONTESTING EVERY PASS AND IN THE CORNER .

BACK TO BRIDGES ON THE SHOT CLOCK .

A THREE BALL WITH BRIDGES IN AND OUT .

FLEMING WITH ANOTHER REBOUND AND THAT WON'T GO .

COMING AGAIN AND IT'S KNOCKED OUT OF BOUNDS .

BULLDOGS BASKETBALL .

>> THE RIGHT PERSON OFFENSIVELY IS THERE, I'M TALKING ABOUT FLEMING WHO NEEDS TO CAPITALIZE ON THOSE EASY BUCKETS DOWN LOW .

>> AND FLAMING , MEANWHILE IS DONE EIGHT REBOUNDS ON THIS GAME.

TIME OUT ON THE FLOOR WITH THE BULLDOGS BY 3.

>> THE CLASS 2 A CHAMPIONSHIP WITH BUTLER ON TOP.

5:43 TO GO IN THIS CONTEST.

IF YOU ARE JUST JOINING, BUTLER CONTROLLING THE CONTEST WITH A 20-9 LEAD IN THE FIRST QUARTER.

THEY HAVE REALLY HEATED UP FROM OUTSIDE THE YARD HERE IN THE SECOND HALF .

ONE OF 12 SHOOTING FROM THREE IN THE FIRST HALF .

5 OF 9 IN THE SECOND HALF TO CUT THIS LEAD DOWN TO THREE POINTS.

SMITH ON THE INBOUND TO BUTLER.

TO BRIDGES AND OUTSIDE FOR THREE .

AND FLEMING BACKUP .

>> THERE IS OUR GUY SHOWING UP WITH THE OFFENSE OF GLASS.

ALWAYS AT THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME .

>> A DOUBLE-DOUBLE WITH 11 POINTS AND 12 REBOUNDS .

>> OF 5.

HOLD FOR THE BULLDOGS.

HUGHES INSIDE AND THAT WON'T GO, BUT HE WILL GO TO THE LINE AND SHOOT THERE.

>> THAT WAS ON WALKER WHO IS BACK IN THE GAME.

THAT'S HIS FOURTH FOUL .

>> THAT WAS A CAMPBELL DEFENSIVELY THERE.

WHAT YOU DON'T WANT TO DO, ESPECIALLY LATE IN THE GAME, IT'S NOT ABOUT GAMBLING.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO GET THE STEAL, GO FOR IT BUT YOU DON'T WANT TO GAMBLE .

>> MAREVKA HITS.

COACH GAVE HIM CREDIT .

A SIX-FOOT 10 INCHES PLAYER OR 6'8" PLAYER.

IT IS TOUGH ON SIZE .

>> A TOUGH ON SIZE POST PLAYER AND A LEFTY.

>> AND A FOUR-POINT LEAD NOW FOR THE BULLDOGS.

BRIDGES PICK UP THE DRIBBLE .

SMITH BAILS HIM OUT AND NOW 1 FOR 1 AND YOU CAN SEE HOW THEY CHANGE IT OUT .

IT WILL STAY A BUTLER BALL .

>> YOU CAN SPACE IT OUT AND TIGHTEN IT UP TO FORCE A ROOM OF PLAY AND GET INTO THE GAPS .

THE KEY IS DEFLECTIONS.

THEY WANT DEFLECTIONS AND THEY ARE DOING A GREAT JOB THIS AFTERNOON FORCING BUTLER TO PLAY OUT A RHYTHM .

>> AND A DOUBLE TEAM IN THE CORNER .

A TOUGH TASK .

SMITH COLLECTED AND BRAY IS BACK IN THE GAME FOR WALKER AND NOW A FOUL AGAINST UNION COUNTY AND THAT WILL GO AGAINST NUMBER 5, HOLDEN PAIN FOR HIS FIRST AND THE TEAM'S SECOND IN THE QUARTER .

>> YOU'VE GOT TO REALIZE ON 1-3 , IT'S NOT JUST A GAP DEFENSE.

YOU PLAY IN THE AREA AND YOU MATCH UP , BUT THAT'S GREAT DEFENSE.

ONCE THE BALL WENT TO THE BASELINE, YOU PROTECT THE PAINT AND FORCE THE PERIMETER SHOT .

AN UNFORTUNATE TURNOVER FOR BUTLER BUT GREAT DEFENSE BY UNION COUNTY .

>> AND THE BALL GOES AWAY AND THIS IS NOW AT THE FIVE MINUTE MARK AND THE CHANCES DOWN TO ONE .

UNION COUNTY HAS NEVER LED THIS GAME .

THE FIRST TIME IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP SINCE 1971.

HENRY REJECTED INSIDE AND A FOUL WITH A CHANCE TOWARD THE LINE.

THAT FOUL IS ON MARCUS SCURRY JR. .

>> NOW HE IS TRYING TO PLAY WITHOUT FOULING .

IT'S THE MENTALITY TO BACK UP AND GIVE THE OFFENSE A LITTLE SPACE.

MOVE YOUR FEET .

A LOT OF TIMES THESE KIDS WANT TO PLAY ANGLE BASKETBALL.

BACKUP AND KEEP THE OFFENSE IN FRONT .

>> A GOOD LOOK AT HENRY WITH 10 POINTS AND FIVE REBOUNDS ON THE NIGHT.

THAT'S THE FIRST ONE THERE WITH A CHANCE FOR A SECOND.

>> THAT WAS BRAY GOING UP AND COMING DOWN HARD ON HIS BACK.

>> THEY ARE CALLING A FOUL ON UNION COUNTY.

>> ONE MORE LOOK AT IT.

>> THAT WAS A SLIGHT LITTLE BOX OUT AND I UNDERSTAND THE FOUL CALL .

>> VIC FOUL ON NUMBER 23, KADEN COMBS.

NOW FOR SOME FULL-COURT PRESSURE BY UNION COUNTY .

>> IT IS 1-3-1 .

IT'S NOT GOING TO CHANGE .

IT'S AN EXTENDED VERSION OF WHAT LOOKS LIKE A FULL BOARD PRESS .

>> A DOUBLE-DOUBLE WITH BRIDGES INSIDE.

HE CAN'T GET THAT AND A FOUL ON THE BULLDOGS AND WE GO THE OTHER WAY.

>> THE RIGHT OFFENSIVE PLAY AND JUST MISSED IT .

>> AND BRIDGES THE LEADING SCORE OF THE GAME AT 18 POINTS WITH SIX REBOUNDS IN HIS THIRD FOUL OF THE GAME.

>> 39-45 WITH TWO MORE GAMES AFTER THIS ONE.

YOUNG FOR 3 AND FLEMING ANOTHER REBOUND FOR BUTLER.

SCURRY LOOKING TO PUSH AND IN THE CORNER FOR THREE .

>> NOT THE PLAY THEY NEEDED .

>> RIDGES BRINGS IT DOWN AND FLEMING AGAIN AND IT'S TOO HARD .

HENRY , MAKE THAT YOUNG.

>> HENRY LOOKED AT A THREE .

>> A GREAT JOB .

HENRY INSIDE AND A GOOD CHECK BY HENRY AND A STARE DOWN.

>> THIS IS FAIR POSSESSION RIGHT THERE .

THE DEFENSE PRETTY MUCH TOOK OVER FOR FLEMING .

HE'S GOT HIS DEFENDER TO STAY IN FRONT .

>> HERE IS THE THREE WITH FLEMING TO REBOUND AND FELT BY HENRY.

>> I THINK THAT IS IS FORCED , IT IS.

>> ALL THE EMOTIONS ON BOTH SIDES .

>> I LOVE IT .

>> BOTH COACHES WANT THEIR OFFENSE TO GET TO THE BASELINE.

>> THIS IS AN EXTENDED VERSION AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE MAY HAVE A LITTLE MAN TO MAN COMMUNICATION .

>> ARE YOU SERIOUS?

ARE YOU SERIOUS?

>> AND WITH THE BULLDOGS, A TURNOVER AND THE TIME-OUT BY BUTLER .

COACH CLARK WANTS TO GET HIS GUYS TOGETHER .

>> YEAH .

SCURRY WENT ONE WAY AND THE BALL WENT THE OTHER .

>> THINK ABOUT IT , THERE'S AN OLD SAYING WHEN IT COMES TO COACHING.

PRESSING TEAMS LEFT OF PRESS BUT PRESSING TEAMS HATE TO BE PRESSED.

NOW, UNION COUNTY WAS PLAYING ON THEIR HEELS --EXCUSE ME, BUTLER WAS PLAYING ON THEIR HEELS BECAUSE UNION'S COUNT MAKING IT LOOK LIKE IT WAS MEANT TO MAN AND THEN IT EXTENDED TO 1-3-1 AND THEN 2-3 AND UNION COUNTY IS DOING A GREAT JOB AND NOW IT'S A 2.

GAME WITH JUST MINUTES TO GO .

>> LATE IN THE THIRD QUARTER , SINCE THEN THEY'VE BEEN OUTSCORED IN THIS GAME .

>> BASKETBALL IS A GAME ABOUT RUNS AND THAT'S ONE THING YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND .

EVERYBODY'S GOING TO MAKE A RUN BUT IT'S HOW YOU WEATHER THE STORM AND WHAT KIND OF RUN IT IS.

THERE'S A DEFENSIVE RUN AND A NONOFFENSIVE RUN AND BUTLER IS TRYING TO GET IT BECAUSE OF THE WAY BUTLER IS HANDLING THE BASKETBALL WITH THE TURNOVERS AND THE BACK SHOTS .

>> DOWN 11 POINTS FOR BUTLER COUNTY.

THAT TIMING THE BIGGEST DEFICIT IN THE GAME FOR THEM.

>> WITHIN ONE EARLIER IN THIS QUARTER .

>> MUCH MORE AGGRESSIVE IN THE 1-3-1 ZONE .

>> THEY ARE PLAYING IN THE GAPS DOING A GREAT JOB .

BUTLER IS GOT TO CONTROL THE RIM .

AND UNDERSTAND SHOT SELECTION .

>> BOOM, BRIDGES FOR 3 AND HE'S GOT 21 .

>> THE YOUNG MAN IS AVERAGING 17 POINTS PER GAME AND HE IS STEPPING UP HERE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER TRYING TO CUT DOWN THE MIX HERE .

>> AND I REBOUND FOR COMBS AND NO .

BRIDGES WITH THE REBOUND .

>> THE SMITH FOR 3.

>> THAT'S NOT THE SHOT YOU WANTED WITH 14 SECONDS ON THE SHOT CLOCK.

NOT THE SHOT YOU WANTED .

>> OF FOUL THERE ON BRIDGES.

THAT WILL BE HIS FOURTH WITH 2:04 TO GO .

DON'T GO ANYWHERE, IT'S A 5.

GAME.

>> WELCOME BACK TO MACON 204 .

MAKE AND SPEND TIME IN THE HUDDLE AND COACH CLARK TOLD HIS GUYS THAT THIS IS WHAT WE HANG OUR HAT ON .

THESE CLOSE GAMES WHERE WE KNOW OUR DEFENSE WILL HELP US THROUGH.

OBVIOUSLY FOUL TROUBLE WILL BE A FACTOR BUT CHAS CLARK VERY CONFIDENT WITH THE LAST 2: ZERO 4 .

>> THEY ARE ATTACKING THE 1-3-1 ARE THE BASELINE .

NOW, IT AUTOMATICALLY SHOWCASES THE TWO MEN TRAP WITH A SIDE LINE UNDERNEATH AND THAT'S FOUR PLAYERS .

THEY ARE DOING A GREAT JOB WITH THE OVERLOAD OPPORTUNITY FOR THE OFFENSE TO GET THE BALL INSIDE THE HEART OF THE DEFENSE .

>> THE ATTACK ON THE TWO-MINUTE MARK JUST UNDER FOR THE GAME .

11 POINTS DOWN AND SEVERAL TIMES THEY KEEP FIGHTING THEIR WAY BACK IN REFUSING TO GO DOWN.

THE COACH SAID THAT'S HOW THEY ARE.

RESILIENT .

THAT WON'T GO .

UP HIGH THE REBOUND AND IT'S REJECTED .

>> PROBABLY THE BIGGEST BLOCK OF THE GAME.

PROBABLY THE BIGGEST BLOCK OF THE GAME.

IT'S LIKE A HOT POTATO, MOVE THE BALL AND GET THE SPACING .

>> SCORING THE HANDLE TO FLEMING WITH A DOUBLE-DOUBLE FOR HIM .

HE HAS BEEN OUTSTANDING THIS ENTIRE GAME.

>> INSIDE FOR WALTER AND IN AND OUT.

BRIDGES WITH THE REBOUND!

>> LOOKING FOR HUGHES, NUMBER 34, THE THREE POINT SHOOTER.

HENRY , THEY SAID HE TRAVELED FIRST .

>> HENRY HAS DONE A GREAT JOB OF BEING AGGRESSIVE .

A LITTLE TRAVEL THERE ATTACKING THE RIM.

>> BACK TO LIVE ACTION AND WE HAVE A TIME-OUT ON THE FLOOR.

>> MAYBE WITH THE CROWD ON THAT ONE .

FROM OUR ANGLE, IT LOOKED LIKE A TRAVEL.

>> AND LOOKING HERE AT THIS UNION COUNTY HUDDLE.

A LOOK AT THE PLAY BY HENRY, THEIR LEADER.

>> HERE YOU GO, 1 , 2 .

>> THAT IS TOUGH, TOMATO OR TOMATO ?

>> WITH THE WAY THESE TEAMS ARE PLAYING, THAT'S A TOUGH ONE .

>> THAT WASN'T TRAVELING FOR AN ADVANTAGE .

SOMETIMES YOU TRAVEL FOR ADVANTAGE AND IF IT WAS, I KNOW SOMETIMES IT IS AT HIS FEET THING THEY >> YOU GET A SECOND SHOT WITH A SECOND STEP .

>> SO 52:47 WITH : 56 ON THE CLOCK.

10 POINTS AND FIVE REBOUNDS AND COMING ON STRONG IN THE SECOND HALF WITH 10 POINTS AND SEVEN REBOUNDS.

OF COURSE HUGHES WITH ALL HE CAN MANAGE IN THE FIRST HALF BUT IT'S A BIG 15 POINTS WITH 12 OF THOSE POINTS HERE IN THE SECOND HALF .

>> NOW WE PLAY THE FOUL GAME WITH QUICK FOULS .

>> UNION COUNTY SHOOTING 30% PER GAME.

TRAVELING TO STEAL .

AND YOUNG THE OTHER WAY AND THERE HE IS , HUGHES WHO GIVES IT UP FOR HENRY .

>> 5:34 AND FACE GUARDING .

>> HENRY , THEY SAY HE WAS PUSHED IN THE BALL IS OUT OF BOUNDS AND THAT FOUL ON WALKER.

>> IT WILL BE TWO SHOTS .

>> NOW , THIS IS THE SCENARIO .

>> THAT'S A FOUL AND HE IS OUT .

>> OKAY .

>> WE SEE DUSTIN GRAY COME BACK IN, THE SENIOR .

>> IF HE MAKES THESE TWO RE-THROWS, THE GAME CHANGES, IT COMPLETELY CHANGES .

YOU DON'T HAVE TO FOUL IF YOU ARE UNION COUNTY, BUT IF HE MISSES , YOU'LL SEE UNION COUNTY STARTING TO FOUL .

>> THAT IS THE FIRST .

>> IS UNION COUNTY GOING TO CALL A TIME-OUT OR USE A SUB TO SET THE DEFENSE?

>> THEY'RE GOING TO CALL A TIME-OUT .

>> CLASS ALLSTATE.

>> WHAT A JOB THERE BY HENRY WHO IS COOL UNDER PRESSURE.

1000 POINT SCORER WIDTHS OF CYSTS.

TWO TRIPLE DOUBLES EARLIER THIS SEASON AS WELL AND THE COACH SAYS HE IS AN ULTRA COMPETITOR AND HE IS NOT GOING TO COME OUT OF THE GAME .

>> GRANDPA IS RIGHT THERE WITH HIM FROM 1971 .

YOU KNOW, IN GAMES LIKE THIS , THESE ARE THE GAMES YOU REMEMBER WHETHER YOU WIN OR LOSE BECAUSE THERE IS MORE EMOTION .

THERE IS MORE EMOTION IN THESE GAMES PLAYING FOR THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP .

YOU'RE PLAYING FOR THE CROWN AND THE RING .

YOU DON'T WANT THE BLOWOUT GAMES, YOU WANT THE CLOSE GAMES THAT STAY WITH YOU FOR A LONG LONG TIME .

>> AND WINNING A MIDDLE SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE EIGHTH GRADE AND HE STATED EARLIER , THE SIXTH YEAR AS THE BOYS HEAD COACH.

HE SAID THIS COULD BE A SPECIAL GROUP IN A SPECIAL SEASON AND HE SAID, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A DREAM FOR OUR COMMUNITY, DON'T WAKE ME UP AND LET'S KEEP THIS GOING .

>> YOU ARE RIGHT AND THAT'S BEAUTIFUL.

DO WE PLAY FULL-COURT PRESS AND MAYBE GO FOR A TRAP EARLY AND THE BALL GOES ACROSS THE COURT.

>> AND A DOUBLE TEAM IN THE BACKCOURT.

>> CALLING A FOUL ON HUGHES .

THAT WILL SEND SCURRY TO THE LINE WITH 33.

TWO GNOME LEFT.

>> A GOOD GAME .

>> THAT WAS RIGHT IN FRONT OF COACH GARRETT WHO OF COURSE WANTED TO TRAVEL .

>> I DON'T KNOW IF SCURRY PUSHED OFF TO GET OVER THERE.

UNDERNEATH AND OUT OF BOUNDS .

>> FREE THROWS HERE FOR THE SENIOR.

>> SCURRY WITH 8 POINTS TODAY.

>> I THINK WE'VE GOT A TIME-OUT COMING ON MACON .

>> SO, SCURRY ANSWERS AT THE LINE TO PUSH THE ADVANTAGE BACK UP TO 5 .

TRYING TO CLOSE OUT HIS CAREER .

LEADING SCORER AT 18.

4 POINTS PER GAME .

>> TO PLAY THIS OUT, FIRST OF ALL, DEFENSIVELY IF YOU ARE BUTLER COUNTY , YOU DON'T NEED TO PRESS AND YOU DON'T WANT TO FORCE THE TEMPO BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO GIVE THAT OPEN ANGLE FOOT BALL FOR UNION COUNTY TO GO IN AND SCORE .

IF I AM BUTLER, I'M GOING TO PLAY BALL FROM HALF COURT.

FACE CARD NUMBER 34, HAYDEN HUGHES AND HE CAN'T HIT ONE OF HIS TOP THREES.

IF YOU WANT TO PLAY MORE, I WOULD SAY STEP BACK AND HOUSTON HENRY WHO IS A PLAYMAKER.

MAKE THE PLAY ON THE PERIMETER.

AGGRESSIVELY, UNION COUNTY WITH ANYTHING TO GIVE YOU THE ADVANTAGE AGAINST WHAT THE DEFENSE GIVES YOU .

>> IF YOU ARE BUTLER, FUNNEL THE BALL AWAY FROM 23 AND 30 FOUR, THE ONLY TWO WITH ITS REPORTERS TODAY.

AND HENRY FOR 2.

HENRY TRYING TO FREE HIMSELF GETS IT TOO YOUNG.

AND BRAY WITH THE REBOUND AND BRIDGES WITH THE FOUL .

THAT'S A WIN FOR THE BUTLER DEFENSE .

>> THAT'S A WIN.

ONE THING I HEARD THE COACH TELL HIS TEAM WAS, DON'T LEAVE YOUR FEET WHEN IT COMES TO CONTESTING THREE-POINT SHOOTERS.

HAVE THE CLOSEOUT BUT DO NOT LEAVE YOUR FEET.

>> I MEAN, BRIDGES WITH THE MS. PERIOD IS SIX FOOT TWO INCH JUNIOR WITH REBOUNDS ON THE AFTERNOON.

HE WILL GET ONE MORE .

>> YOU CAN HEAR THE COACH TELL HIS TEAM, STAY ON THE GROUND AND DID NOT JUMP TO CONTEST SHOTS.

>> 6.

LEAD AND A TIME-OUT , UNION COUNTY .

>> THE TIME IS WINDING DOWN HERE FOR THE PANTHERS.

>> AND A CALL FOR BUTLER AND BRIDGES WITH 22 POINTS .

FLEMING 11 POINTS AND 14 REBOUNDS , NUMBER 10 .

AND COACH CLARK WAS SAYING HE LOVES THIS JOB SO MUCH .

HE WAS A RESERVE ON THE BUTLER TEAM IN 2011 AND HE KNEW AT THE AGE OF 19 HE WANTED TO COACH.

HE WAS ATTENDING CLASSES AT THE TIME.

THE JV COACH WON FOUR CHAMPIONSHIPS AND APPLY FOR THE JOB.

HE SAID YOU COULD DROP $10 MILLION IN MY BANK ACCOUNT TODAY AND I WILL BE BACK IN THE GYM AT 6:00 TOMORROW.

>> HE SAID, I LOVE WHAT I DO, BUT NOT THAT MUCH .

>> HERE'S THE THING, THOUGH, HIS PASSION SHOWS AND HIS PLAYERS.

HERE'S THE THING, IF YOU'RE A COACH THAT LOVES YOUR TEAM, IT SHOWS IN YOUR PLAYERS.

ONE THING HE SAYS IS THAT GETTING BETTER DOESN'T ALWAYS FEEL GOOD.

A STRONG COAT BY A MAN WHO COACHES BY PASSION .

>> WHAT CAN UNION COUNTY DO HERE ?

THAT ONE IS IN AND OUT WITH BRAY WITH THE REBOUND.

>> THE CROWD IN HERE FROM AUGUSTA BEGINS TO SENSE SOMETHING GOOD MAY BE ABOUT TO HAPPEN IN 10.

7 SECONDS .

>> YOU THINK ABOUT THE COACH WITH HIS POISE AND HIS PRESENCE AND THE WAY HE COMMUNICATES WITH THESE YOUNG MEN.

HE IS AN INTENSE COACH AS FAR AS YELLING AND SCREAMING BUT HE IS A COMPETITIVE COACH AND THE WAY HE COMPETES IS TO SHOW HIS PLAYERS TO ALWAYS SHOW POISE AND PASSION AND PATIENCE AS THEY DO THIS AFTERNOON .

>> THE FIFTH FOUL OF THE GAME FOR MATTOX YOUNG .

>> THINK ABOUT WHAT COACH CLARK DID.

HIS JV TEAM WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP .

WITH THE TOP PLAYERS THAT MADE HIS TEAM MORE COMPETITIVE AND NOW THEY ARE WINNING THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

>> AND HOLDING ON FOR THE REBOUND AND THAT WILL BE IT.

>> A GOOD LOOK THEIR COACH CLARK HUGGING EVERY SINGLE UNION COUNTY PLAYER AND COACH .

YOU CAN SEE NOW THE EMOTIONS ON HIS FACE .

>> I SHARE THIS WITH EVERYONE WHO UNDERSTANDS THE TIERS .

THE ROAD THAT YOU TRAVEL DETERMINES THE VALUE OF THE PRIZE .

HE UNDERSTANDS THE ROLE OF THIS PROGRAM AND THIS TEAM AND SCHOOL WHO IS GONE THROUGH THE 6:00 A. M. WORKOUTS AND LATE NIGHTS.

NOW , HE HAS A CHANCE TO RELEASE IT HERE WITH THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP, CONGRATULATIONS.

>> AND TIPPING OUR HAT TO UNION COUNTY .

TIPPING OUR HATS IS 76- 6.

CLOSING THE GAP AS THEY FINALLY COME UP WITH THIS ONE.

LET'S GO TO JORDAN NELSON .

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH IT IS TIME TO PRESENT ANOTHER TROPHY AND HERE TO DO IT IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DOCTOR TIM SCOTT FOR A SPECIAL AND LONG-AWAITED PRESENTATION .

>> FIRST OF ALL CONCH CONGRATULATIONS UNION COUNTY ON A GREAT SEASON AND CONGRATULATIONS YOUNG MEN.

ON BEHALF OF THE GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION , THE TROPHY TO THE BUTLER BULLDOGS.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ].

>> CONGRATULATIONS, COACH .

>> CHAS, ONE QUESTION FOR EVERYBODY HERE IN THE ARENA .

THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1966 AND YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS.

PLAYING FOR IT AND BEING AN ASSISTANT AND LEADING THIS TEAM HERE, WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR FOLKS WHO MAY NOT KNOW .

>> A COMMUNITY THAT GETS COUNTED OUT A LOT .

THESE 13 YOUNG MEN JUST SAID DON'T COUNT THEM OUT .

>> CONGRATULATIONS .

>> ONE MORE TROPHY HANDED OUT AND IT'S GOING TO THE AUGUSTINE AREA AND THE BUTLER BULLDOGS.

>> MORE FROM THE MACON COLISEUM IN THE MACON CENTER.

>> THANK YOU JOHN NELSON .

HERE WE GO WITH THE CLASS 2 A CHAMPIONS.

THE COACH WAS TELLING US HE TOOK THE PLAYERS FROM HIS JV TEAM .

THEY HAD WON THE JV CHAMPIONSHIP AND HE SAID THE YOUNG MAN FLEMING WITH THE GAME-WINNING SHOT IN THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE SAID THAT SINCE THEY DID THAT , THE TEAM IS NOT LOST SINCE THEN AND IT WAS FLEMING ONE OF THE YOUNG MEN WHO HELPED TO BRING THE CHAMPIONSHIP TO THE HIGH SCHOOL .

>> YOU'VE GOT TO UNDERSTAND THAT SOMETIMES PLAYING MINUTES ARE MORE VALUABLE THAN JUST BEING A PART OF THE TEAM .

WHEN YOU CAN PLAY ON THE JV SQUAD AND THE FRESHMAN SQUAD, YOU GET CONFIDENT AND THEN WITH THE CONFIDENCE YOU TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL ELITE LEVEL OF VARSITY .

THEN YOU JUST WON A CHAMPIONSHIP WITH THE JV SQUAD AND THEN YOU WIN STATE .

>> THE FINAL SCORE HERE 57-49 WITH THE BUTLER HIGH SCHOOL OUT OF AUGUSTA.

THEY ARE THE BOYS CHAMPIONS FOR 2025 .

THE PANTHERS COMING UP STRONG TO ONE UNDER THE FOURTH QUARTER .

LET ME TELL YOU, THIS WAS OUTSTANDING.

WHAT A FINISH WITH BUTLER .

THEIR BITE WAS WORSE THAN THEIR BARK.

WE HAVE SO MUCH MORE TO COME IN JUST A MOMENT WITH HANNAH AND THE POST GAME SHOW NEXT.

>> WELCOME TO COUNTDOWN TO TIP OFF.

>> WITH THE BUTLER BULLDOGS WINNING 57 TO 49.

THIS IS DAY TWO OF FOUR.

EARLIER TODAY AT 1:00 WE HAD THE AA GIRLS MATCHUP.

THE GOLDEN HAWKS WON THAT ONE 47-34 FOR THE FIRST EVER STATE TITLE.

COMING UP NEXT AFTER THIS WE WILL HAVE THE COED THREE-POINT CONTEST AT 5:00 WITH TWO COMPETITORS FROM GRIFFIN HIGH SCHOOL AND TWO COMPETITORS FROM CHEROKEE HIGH SCHOOL .

WHOEVER SCORES THE MOST POINTS UNDER THE CLOCK WILL BE THE WINNERS OF THE COED THREE-POINT CONTEST IN THE GIRLS CONTEST WILL BE TOMORROW.

AND THE MATCHUP BETWEEN MAYNARD JACKSON AND CREEKSIDE AND THEN AT 7:30, THE BOYS BETWEEN NORTH PONY AND PACE ACADEMY .

FOLLOW ALL WEEK ON SOCIAL MEDIA ON GPB'S FORCES WE BRING THE LATEST FROM MACON, GEORGIA .

WE TAKE A BREAK AND WE WILL HAVE THE HEAD COACH JUST HERE TO TALK ABOUT THEIR BIG WIN AND WE WILL SEE YOU IN JUST A SECOND.

> >> WELCOME BACK TO COUNTDOWN TO TIP OFF CELEBRATING BUTLER'S WIN OVER UNION COUNTY .

WE HAVE HAD COACH CLARK TO OUR RIGHT IN THE PLAYER OF THE GAME , ROMAIN BRIDGES TO MY LEFT .

LET ME START WITH YOU.

YOU'VE GOT THE GAME BALL THAT YOU LEARNED WITH POINTS AND REBOUNDS.

>> I LOVE IT FOR ME AND MY COACH AND MY TEAMMATES AND IT IS NICE .

>> HOW DID YOU PERFORM OUT THERE AND HOW DID THE TEAM GEL ?

THIS WAS A HARD-FOUGHT GAME .

>> FOR ME, MYSELF, I PLAYED PRETTY GOOD IN MY PARTNER, FORD, HE PLAYED GOOD TOO.

WE ALL PLAYED GOOD AND IT'S A TEAM WIN .

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS ABOUT 22 AND 12 BUT THAT SEEMS TO BE THE MAGIC NUMBER FOR THE PLAYER OF THE GAME.

I MENTIONED BEFORE WE WENT TO BREAK.

THE FIRST EVER TO PLAY FOR YOUR SCHOOL AND BE AN ASSISTANT FOR YOUR SCHOOL AND NOW I'M GUESSING YOU'RE THE FIRST EVER TO LEAD A TEAM TO A TITLE AS A COACH.

FIRST TO PLAY IN FIRST BE AN ASSISTANT IN FIRST TO BE A COACH FOR YOUR ALMA MATER.

AS A LOW YOU AWAY WITH WHAT THE LAST 14 YEARS OF BEEN LIKE WHEN YOU GO FROM PLAYING WITH YOUR ROLE MODEL AND YOUR MENTOR TO BEING AN ASSISTANT FOR HIM AND NOW A HEAD COACH?

>> I TELL PEOPLE THIS ALL THE TIME .

IF $10 MILLION GOT DROPPED IN MY LAP, I WOULD GO TO SCHOOL AND I WOULD WORK OUT AND GO TO COACH AND I MEAN THAT WITH EVERY OUNCE OF MY BEING .

>> WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BRING THE TROPHY BACK TO AUGUSTA?

>> WHEN IT WAS DOING RIGHT, DON'T BE SURPRISED.

WINNING THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP WITH THE PROGRAM FROM 9th TO 12th GRADE.

FROM THE PARENTS AND THE ADMINISTRATORS AND COACHES AND EVERYBODY BELIEVES THERE IS A COMMON GOAL .

>> LET ME ASK YOU THIS , YOU GET TO THE BIG LEAGUE AND THEN, UNION COUNTY THEY ARE COMING BACK AND COMING BACK AND COMING BACK AND THEN HE GETS TIED IN THE SECOND HALF .

>> A NAILBITER .

>> FOR THOSE WHO OF OF US WHO CAN'T HIDE OUR NAILS AND LOOK FOR EVERYBODY ELSE TO BUY THEM FOR US, I GOT TO SEE WHAT THE SITUATION WAS LIKE IN THE HUDDLE.

FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO GET THE WAVES AND SURVIVE THE WAVES THAT UNION COUNTY WAS THROWING AT YOU IN THE FIRST AND SECOND HALF .

>> I WAS JUST TELLING MY TEAM TO STAY IN IT , WE'VE GOT THIS.

IT WAS GETTING ROUGH AT ONE POINT BUT WE PULLED IT OUT .

YOU KNOW, WE JUST BELIEVED .

>> COACH, BRAG ON HIM A LITTLE BIT .

HE'S NOT A GUY OF MANY WORDS, HOW ABOUT YOU BRAG ON HIM .

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT HE WAS ACTUALLY THE BEST PLAYER IN MACON WITH CENTRAL GEORGIA TECH.

LAST YEAR HE LET US IN SCORING.

THIS YEAR IT'S THE SAME THING WITH MARCUS .

EVERYBODY'S GAME PLAN .

>> TWO YEARS IN A ROW EVERY SINGLE TIME .

HE IS A KID WITH A 3.

9 GPA AND HE IS A DIVISION I COLLEGE PLAYER AND I'M HOPING THAT THIS STAYS TWO YEARS IN A ROW TO GET THINGS GOING.

HIS CHARACTERS OUTSTANDING AND I CAN'T TALK ENOUGH ABOUT HIM.

THE LAST THING I WILL SAY IS FOR FOUR YEARS HE HAS BEEN PLAYING VARSITY.

HE GETS COACHED EXTREMELY HARD .

HIM AND MARCUS, THEY UNDERSTAND WHEN IT GOES BAD, IT'S ALWAYS THEIR FAULT AND THEY ARE THE TWO BEST PLAYERS.

I'M ENTIRELY GRATEFUL TO BE THERE COACH .

>> SO I GUESS WE SHOULD SIT THERE AND SAY, MAKE THAT KID AND OFFER .

>> HIS NAME IS KWAMANE BRIDGES AND HE'S A JUNIOR, CALL HIM .

>> FOR THE THREE-POINT CONTEST, THAT IS COMING UP RIGHT AFTER